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Texas Government vs. U.S. Government Constitution Interesting Facts • In the 1700’s 90% of all Americans had a basic understanding of the principles in the constitution. Today, that number is between 10-20%. • The U.S. Constitution has 4,400 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world • About 4,000 of these words describe the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branches and how they are to operate. • Another 400 words describe the relationships between the states and how to make amendments to the Constitution. • Of the spelling errors in the Constitution, “Pensylvania” above the signers’ names is probably the most glaring • Because of his poor health, Benjamin Franklin needed help to sign the Constitution. As he did so, tears streamed down his face • The Constitution was “penned” by Jacob Shallus, A Pennsylvania General Assembly clerk, for $30 ($726 today) Constitutions U.S • Created: 1787 (ratified 1789) • Preamble • 7 Articles • Bill of Rights and Amendments (27) Texas • Created: 1876 (has had 6 different constitutions) • Preamble • Bill of Rights • 17 Articles (approx. 80,000 words total) • Amendments (over 500) Articles of the U.S. Constitution •Article 1 - The Legislative Branch •Article 2 - The Executive Branch •Article 3 - The Judicial Branch •Article 4 - The States •Article 5 - Amendment •Article 6 - Debts, Supremacy, Oaths •Article 7 - Ratification Articles of the Texas Constitution • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Article I – Bill of Rights Article II – Powers of Government (separation of powers) Article III – Legislative Department Article IV – Executive Department Article V – Judicial Department Article VI – Suffrage Article VII – Education Article VIII –Taxation and Revenue Article IX – Counties Article X – Railroads Article XI – Municipal Corporations Article XII – Private Corporations Article XIII – Spanish & Mexican Land (repealed August, 1969) Article XIV – Public Land and Land Office Article XV – Impeachment Article XVI – General Provisions Article XVII – Mode of Amending the Constitution Structure U.S. • 3 Branches: – Executive – Legislative – Judicial Texas • 3 Branches: – Executive – Legislative – Judicial Executive U.S. • Head: President – Serves a maximum of two 4year terms – Must be 35 years old at least – Has a Cabinet and powers to appoint members and other offices and judges Texas • Head: Governor – Serves unlimited 4-year terms – Must be 30 years old at least • Plural Executive- Shares power with other elected offices Legislative U.S. • Bicameral • House of Representatives – Serve 2 year terms – Must be 25 years old at least • Senate – Serve 6 year terms – Must be 30 years old at least • Unlimited congressional sessions Texas • Bicameral • House of Representatives – Serves 2 year terms – Must be 21 years old at least • Senate – Serves 4 year terms – Must be 26 years old at least • Sessions are biennial (once every 2 years) Judicial U.S. • High Court: U.S. Supreme Court • Justices appointed by President and approved by the Senate Texas • 2 High Courts: Texas Supreme Court for civil cases and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals for criminal cases. • Judges elected Good and Bad Points of the 1876 Constitution… Positive • Weaker state government = less chance of abuse of power • Limits on taxing, spending, & borrowing has helped to keep spending under control, taxes lower, and no state deficit. • Stronger local government makes it easier for citizens to influence important decisions affecting their daily lives – it’s generally easier to influence local government than state government Negative • Constitution is inflexible and not forward looking • It has to be amended frequently due to changing society -presently, there are more than 500 amendments. • Constitution is too detailed -- it should contain a basic framework for government, leaving the specifics to the legislature. • U.S. Constitution is short. Texas Constitution is very long. • Because it is so specific, we have to constantly amend it just to allow the legislature to pass new laws and programs